Over 200 families from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore hung black flags outside their homes to protest the municipality failing to implement a scheme to provide drinking water round the clock. 

The Kovai Municipality had allotted Rs.7 crore to the scheme to provide drinking water for 24 hours to households in the area three months ago. 

“We were getting water supply properly and then this new scheme was announced. After that, the water we were already getting simply reduced. We went to the commissioner repeatedly and were told that we had to wait a week. This had been going on for so long that we wanted to make our opposition known without violence,” said Susheela, a resident.

Local police began to take down black flags which were hung across houses in the 22nd ward of Kovai in KR Nagar, Goundar Nagar and Mani Nagar. The residents were then allegedly threatened by the police, and an argument with the municipality ensued. 

“We thought we would get a response by doing this, but after a lot of arguments, they tried to assure us. But where did the 7 crore rupees go along with our water?” Susheela said. 

Residents were then informed that they had to wait a week for the scheme to be implemented and the commissioner would ensure that necessary action would be taken against those responsible for the delay.